Our Muslim siblings are currently observing Ramadan. This sacred season occurs at different times in the Gregorian calendar (the one most of us use) and this time of year is the hardest for those who follow the holiday's practices. During Ramdan, tradition calls for Muslims to fast during daylight hours - no food or water at all. Since this past week included the longest day of the year, Muslim friends are getting up at 3 am to eat a big meal and hydrate. Then they go to work and school with no snacks or lunch or liquids. Muslim families gather around a feast for the breaking of the fast, timing on their phones the exact moment of sunset.
I have to admit, when I think about this tradition of fasting, I just focus on how hard it would be for me to go without food. I'm definitely one of those people who has to apologize for being grumpy when I'm hungry. But that perspective ignores the communal joy of breaking a fast together. Or the satisfaction of setting a goal for yourself and meeting it. Or raising your utter awareness of your physicality in all its beauty and challenge. Observers aren't forced to fast; it's a choice. And Muslims traditionally don't take time off from work or regular responsibilities during Ramadan; they challenge themselves to keep to their usual tasks as much as possible. Perhaps we can compare it to a yoga or meditation retreat, where participants voluntarily challenge their bodies and their minds for hours at a time, with the goal of growth - whether spiritual, physical or emotional.
In a world that is, tragically, treating Muslims with oppression and violence, please join me in wishing our Muslim siblings "Ramadan Mubarak!" - blessings for Ramadan!
Peace,
Rev. Cindy
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Worship
Sunday, June 25, 9:30 am
This Sunday we begin worship with South Acton - at their house! For the next five weeks we worship at 35 School Street. Worship time stays the same - 9:30 am. Preachers vary (see schedule elsewhere in this Flash). This summer Rev. Liz (from SACC) and Rev. Cindy will both be thinking about how Jesus communicates - and what that says about our own communication.
This Monday Rev. Cindy starts a week of vacation, so next Sunday (July 2) Rev. Liz is preaching!
Sermons
Worship Bulletins
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Spiritual Nurture
All our summer worship services are intergenerational! When we're in Boxborough (starting July 30) nursery care is offered for our youngest parishioners.
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Administrative Assistant
Vacation and Summer Hours
Our Administrative Assistant, Heather Delaney, will be on vacation starting Monday, June 26 returning on Wednesday, July 5th.
The church office summer hours are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Thursday, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
As always, please feel free to leave Heather a message on the church voice mail or send her an email to [email protected]
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No Vestry News Flash 6/30/17
There will be no Vestry News Flash next Friday, June 30th, as the church office will be on vacation. Distribution will resume again on Friday, July 7th.
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Vestry News
We will publish a summer edition of the Vestry newsletter In late July. We will send an announcement via email when articles will be due. Please send your articles or pictures to
[email protected].
You can still find upcoming news in the News Flash.
Thank you and enjoy the summer,
Heidi Matthew
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Summer Worship & Pastoral Coverage
SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE 2017
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Sunday
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Location
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Preacher
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June 25
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South Acton Congregational
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Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry
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July 2
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South Acton Congregational
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Rev. Elizabeth Magill (Rev. Liz)
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July 9
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South Acton Congregational
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Rev. Cindy
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July 16
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South Acton Congregational
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Rev. Cindy
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July 23
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South Acton Congregational
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Rev. Liz
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July 30
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UCCB
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Rev. Liz
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Aug. 6
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UCCB
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Rev. Liz
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Aug. 13
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UCCB
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Rev. Cindy
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Aug. 20
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UCCB |
Rev. Cindy |
| Aug. 27 |
UCCB |
Rev. Liz |
| Sept. 3 |
Resume Regular Worship Schedule |
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PASTORAL COVERAGE
As is our custom, South Acton Congregational Church and United Church of Christ, Boxborough, will be sharing pastoral care coverage this summer, in addition to Sunday worship.
Coverage is divided as follows:
| June 19 - June 25 |
Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry |
| June 26 - July 2 |
Rev. Elizabeth Magill (Rev. Liz) |
| July 3 - July 9 |
Rev. Cindy |
| July 10 - July 16 |
Rev. Cindy |
| July 17 - July 23 |
Rev. Liz |
| July 24 - July 30 |
Rev. Liz |
| July 31 - Aug. 6 |
Rev. Liz |
| Aug. 7 - Aug. 13 |
Rev. Cindy |
| Aug. 14 - Aug. 20 |
Rev. Cindy |
| Aug. 21 - Aug. 27 |
Rev. Liz |
| Aug. 28 |
Resume Usual Schedule |
When Rev. Liz is providing coverage, she can be reached at:
Office: 978-263-2332
Cell: 508-450-0431
When Rev. Cindy is providing coverage, she can be reached at:
Office: 978-263-7387
Cell: 978-204-0473
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Fresh Air And Fellowship
Saturdays, 10:00 am
Want to experience some fresh air and fellowship? Saturday mornings are a great time!
Let's meet at 10:00 at UCCB for a walk - destination/distance unknown!
The walk will be customized depending upon who joins. Perhaps down Middle Road and then crossing into Steele Farm (if we have some good Boxborough guides!) or perhaps a loop on the roads. We'll be flexible and welcoming to all!
Please bring your own water bottle. If the organizers are organized (no guarantees!), there may be refreshments at the church for before / after.
Please feel free to personally invite family, friends, and neighbors to join.
The more, the merrier!
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Support Team Ernie
"Team Ernie", in honor of our hero Ernie Fournier, is preparing for this year's ALS TriState Trek. Read on for updates on Ernie, and how you can support the team!
Hello Friends and Family,
Team Ernie rides again!
Let me begin by thanking everyone for supporting Team Ernie last year in our first TriState Bicycle Trek to find a cure for ALS. Because of your generous contributions, Team Ernie finished in the Top 10 raising $25,000. Thank you everyone!
Now, an update on Ernie. As expected, Ernie continues his fight against ALS the only way he knows how, with a smile. He has lost his ability to speak and his mobility and stamina are significantly reduced. But you know Ernie: despite his limitations, he gets up every morning determined to face the day's challenges. His courage is truly an inspiration to us all!
And now, some good news. The first new ALS treatment drug to be developed in many years, Radicava, was approved by the FDA just last month with distribution expected to begin this summer. Also, ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) in Cambridge MA has developed and screened another new drug, AT-1501. It is now ready for human clinical trials, with funding being the only obstacle in its way. Although Ernie isn't a candidate for these treatments, the recent progress by researchers like ALS TDI gives us all hope for the future.
AT-1501 is just one more reason that Team Ernie rides again in 2017. This year's 275-mile bike trek is June 26-28. Our goal is to top last year's results and raise $30,000 for ALS TDI. We hope you'll consider supporting Ernie, the team and ALS TDI. The often-used fundraising phrase really is true: "large or small, every donation helps."
Thank you all.
Ray Ritter
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Want to learn more... click the links below!
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